Harrison County Board approves curriculum purchases, preschool program and contracts; authorizes third‑party benefits administrator

The Harrison County Board of Education approved a series of consent items and new business motions at its May 6 meeting, including curriculum adoptions, personnel supplements and contracts.

Key actions the board approved (motions and recorded outcomes during the meeting):

- Consent agenda: general consent items were approved by voice vote (motion carried). Specific consent details were not discussed at length on the record.

- Out-of-state professional leave and travel/study requests: board approved.

- Reimbursements and personnel items: the board approved reimbursement of $200 plus a $1,300 incentive payment to a substitute bus operator (Derek Bunch) for training costs; motion carried.

- Level 2 principal supplement: board approved adding a $5,450 supplement inadvertently omitted from the 2024–25 schedule; motion carried.

- MOU for bus operator training: the board approved a memorandum of understanding with Southern Education Services Cooperative to provide bus operator training and examination services.

- Harrison Universal preschool program (curriculum adoption): the board approved adoption at an approximate cost of $188,980 for the preschool program; questions clarified that materials are digital for teachers and hands-on for students.

- Social studies instructional materials: the board approved elementary and secondary social studies instructional material adoptions; the board record includes vendor line items and dollar amounts presented at the meeting (elementary and secondary totals and itemized publisher costs were read into the record during the motion).

- Third-party benefits administrator: following a review of bids and interviews, the board selected Bento (Bento/Benefit Assistance group) as third-party administrator for the district’s self-insured dental and vision plan and approved implementation steps; board members recorded aye votes and no sustained opposition during the motion. Staff underscored provider network and administrative-fee structures discussed during vendor interviews.

All motions reported in the meeting were carried by voice vote or unanimous aye unless noted on the record; the meeting transcript did not provide detailed roll-call tallies for the approvals.